Pairing: Tica UGSA90M2S rod with Daiwa SS Tournament Reel

[BigBunny]

The OP doesn't like how a 5000 size Penn fits or balances the rod. That's the setup I have and I have no issues with it myself, but different strokes for different folks and all that.

[redfin]

The OP doesn't like how a 5000 size Penn fits or balances the rod. That's the setup I have and I have no issues with it myself, but different strokes for different folks and all that.

I do remember in the past some rods (especially thinner blanks coming with reel seat that were barely wide enough to accept some reel stems. Specifically, I remember having issues with penn reel feet being too wide. I agree with different strokes. Always good to try a reel on a rod before you buy. I realize it's not always possible.

[BigBunny]

I wondered too if there was a change in reel seats on that rod maybe, or if the reel he tried, being a different model than mine, has larger feet. That would all affect how the reel sits and balances on the rod. That's why we all end with a bunch of gear though. Keep trying to find what works best for us. The way I grip the rod, what I expect to feel, I like a different point of balance...so many variables.

Edited August 26, 2016 by BigBunny

[redfin]

I would just be aware of how much of the reel's foot goes under the hood of the reel seat on both sides. As far as reels " not fitting" this is what I have seen in the past. the reel's foot just barely tucks under the hood of the seat. I believe Penn thinned theirs feet out a bit with the newer reels. The reels that were problematic for me were SSG, SSM, Slammers. Not exactly the golden era of Penn's history.

[Cody69]

I have never been a big fan of the ss2600. It's a light duty reel IMO to be mounted on a surf stick.  The 1600 is a small freshwater or UL reel. For what you are going to use that rod for, check out the Quantum Boca in size 50. As promising as the BG SW looks, I'd give that reel more time before taking the plunge. I have been using a pair of Boca 50's for several seasons and I am really impressed at how well they have held up. The Penn Conflict and Battle 2 are both solid reels for the money currently. The 3 spinning reels I mentioned are where it's at for me these days. They are all between $100 and $150 and short of cranking them underwater, they will do everything on the striper coast from the beach and jetties.

 

Regarding Fireline, if we are talking about the original, I'd pass that up and go for either Power Pro slick or Spiderwire Stealth in 20 lb test. Not to contradict TimS but I fished FL original in 14,20,and 30 for a decade at least and never did I feel or witness the extreme breaking strengths that some sol'ers have claimed. It was a good line in it's day and it kept old school reels in the game a lot longer because of the way it handled on these old reels. Very few problems in the line department with that line. Simply put there are better line choices today IMO and if your not buying an old school reel why go that route.

 

Welcome to the forum and best of luck with your fishing.

 

Thanks Redfin!  I'll take a look at Power Pro and Spiderware the next time at the tackle shop.

[Cody69]

The OP doesn't like how a 5000 size Penn fits or balances the rod. That's the setup I have and I have no issues with it myself, but different strokes for different folks and all that.

 

The Penn Pursuit II 5000 seems to barely fit in the maximum opening of that Tica Dolphin 9 ft M reel seat.  I'm looking for a lightweight surf set up and the weight of that Pursuit 5000 also seemed off to me.

 

I'm a newbie so I may be wrong.

[redfin]

If the three reels i mentioned earlier the boca may be the very best fit and weight. I like and fish all 3 of those i mentioned but the penn 4000-5000 models is a big gap. The boca 50 slides right in there. I have been very happy with mine. Might not be for you but i would check one out and fit it on the tica if u can.

[chicago bill]

i've been using an ss2600 on an 8ft one piece st croix for some time and have caught stripers over 30# and blues up to 18#. only problems i've had are broken handles and a broken bail. the first handle i fixed myself. never again - new handles are about $6 and the diawa parts dept. is on the ball. i have 2 2600's, 2 1600's and 1 1300. line lay is perfect and the drags are very smooth. caught a lot of albies on the 1600.

[Noodles]

i've been using an ss2600 on an 8ft one piece st croix for some time and have caught stripers over 30# and blues up to 18#. only problems i've had are broken handles and a broken bail. the first handle i fixed myself. never again - new handles are about $6 and the diawa parts dept. is on the ball. i have 2 2600's, 2 1600's and 1 1300. line lay is perfect and the drags are very smooth. caught a lot of albies on the 1600.

My first order of business when my 1300 shows up is finding a better handle to swap in.

[Noodles]

And here it is. The handle is off my busted daiwa legalis 2500. Only modification was I had to shorten the hexagonal shaft that inserts into the main gear because the SS is narrower. Took all of 5 minutes to make work. Huge improvement. It's slightly longer and way more solid.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Noodles

[BigBunny]

The Penn Pursuit II 5000 seems to barely fit in the maximum opening of that Tica Dolphin 9 ft M reel seat.  I'm looking for a lightweight surf set up and the weight of that Pursuit 5000 also seemed off to me.

 

I'm a newbie so I may be wrong.

There is no right or wrong really. There is what works for YOU, and that just might not be what works for me. As long as you're catching fish and happy with your results is all that really matters. I haven't seen them side by side, but it is possible that the footprint of the Persuit II is longer or wider or in some way different than the footprint of the Spinfisher V. I put mine on and forgot about it, so I can't remember if it was a tight fit to get in the opening or not. I do have other rods where that was the case with one reel, and then a tried a different reel, of the same size class, and the footpring of the reel was shorter and I had to snug down the seat pretty far. Regardless, I hope you find what you are looking for. Like I said in another post, that is how so many of us end up with so much different gear. Keep trying things until we find what we are happy with.